12 ways to enjoy a long winter

Little ways to create some bright spots in the darkness

Maybe you live somewhere tropical, but those of us on the east coast of the U.S. got our first major winter storms this past week. There will be more. The sun is still setting before 5 p.m. in my part of the world, meaning the world is just cold and dark much of the time.

It can feel dreary, especially after all the Christmas festivities are over. I have some circulation issues that mean I am often freezing, so winter is just…not my favorite time of year. But, given that this season keeps appearing, year after year, I’ve started to make my peace with it. The truth is that enjoying winter is a mindset. Indulging in some seasonal mood-boosting strategies can make winter a much more pleasant experience. Here are 12 of my favorite: